In The Cat Cave: #witl2017

Showing posts with label #witl2017. Show all posts

Thursday, 27 April 2017

Hello Sunday: Stories and Photos | #weekinthelife2017

What is Week in the Life?:// Week In the Life is a project created by Ali Edwards where by you document a snapshot in time. Capturing mundane details of your everyday and perhaps your not so mundane moments. This is my story and my photos for #weekinthelife2017. To see my #weekinthelife2016 stories and photos you can check out it here: #weekinthelife2016

I made it to Sunday.
Truth is I've been busy. Too busy. Soon I must say no to things. Not the fun stuff though. I like the fun stuff.

I started the morning at 6am by creating a project for the Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team. It's a great way to start a Sunday morning actually but I didn't like my project. And I still don't. You'll see in a few weeks. With that, I wanted to truly torture myself by creating a YouTube video. They are tough to do and time consuming but I need to do a better job at keeping my channel filled with new content.

Once the 13 minute video was completed I took a quick look to make sure that my camera wasn't upside down... That has happened too many times to count. Nope. Not upside down. But did it cut off... it sure did. Perfect. Bloody f*#king perfect.

By now the kids are up. At 4 and 6 years of age, they can occupy themselves for a little while. I need to remember to put the orange juice lower in the fridge so that I don't get nagged to death in the mornings for a drink.

As always, we typically have at least one big breakfast with the whole family on the weekends. Its a small thing but I always look forward to it. This time I was in charge and I made a smorg-ous-borg of meat. It was nice. The four of us just slamming some eggs and toast. But the hustle was about to begin.

All four of us piled in the car at 10:30am to make the first drop off as Jane went to gymnastics for three hours. Next was Ryan to go to soccer. First game of the season, he says. Jack and I were left to kill a couple hours.

Costco it is.
Bad call.
We quite literally parked in the second last parking spot.
That should have been a sign of the bump and grind games I'd have to play inside.

Quick fact here. Newfoundland. That's where I live. Picture a large remote island in the Atlantic Ocean with approximately 500,000 people living on it. On the whole island... now you tell me how its possible that we have one of the top busiest Costcos in the World.

Alright. I'll tell you.
Because we are downright wingnuts.
And its hard to get good produce.
And we plan our weekends around Costco.
Not me. Not anymore.
But man. The grapes were great today. So were the strawberries but not for $5.79.

With still some time to kill, we ran to Michaels as I had a couple things to pick up for friends. It was worth going there just to see Jack in his element. Man. This kid loves to shop.

I picked up the other child and back home we go.

Immediately I have declared a "Mommy Gets a Time Out." Nobody is to enter the bedroom for 20 minutes. Costco did me in. Or was it my kids? It's so hard to tell.

I love my bedroom and I love this view. I basically re-mortgaged my house to get the house fitted with drapes and blinds last summer but it was worth every penny. Someday. Someday... I repeat... someday I'll finish putting up the wall paper....

You could probably tell it was raining today.
Oh and that black magic ball was wrong about the snow being gone by Friday. That dirt pile was still there irritating me on my lawn. I wish I can tell you that the rain would beat it down... but I live in a much higher elevation than rainy Costco-land. It's snow here. It won't last but for certain it's a bummer.

I am reminded that I haven't moved much all week. I need to make this a priority. I know that but I always just don't make it a priority. Yeah. That's true. I should do something bought that. With the dreadful weather, there's not much motivation to get up and go.

However, I walked and then I ran. Walked some more and ran again. A solid fifteen minutes of running is quite enough for this girl. Rooney the dog joined me and as always was a perfect companion.

Before we all headed to bed Jack joined me in my craft room to make a card for his friend William. He seems to be more interested in holding a pencil these days so now I just roll with it. He's carefully making sure that he destroys the nibs of every single one of my Stampin' Up! markers. Thank you Jack.

Good night Sunday. Until next time Week in the Life.
Cathy

To see all my 2017 Week in the Life stories and photos, you can click here to see them together: #witl2017

Saturday, 22 April 2017

Hello Saturday: Photos and Stories | #weekinthelife2017

Saturdays look like this.

I slept for almost 12 hours.

But I still found it hard to get going on this Saturday.

Soon I was out the door to take the kids to soccer.

I forgot my phone.

Nightmare.

We had an amazing time and I would have liked to capture that. It was a parent and tot session with Jack but Jane joined in. We played tag. A lot. Jack's laugh is one of those types of laughs where you wonder if his belly is going to take off. I must remember to play a simple game of tag more often. It's as awesome as hide and go seek.

We left soccer and were ready to make some lunch decisions. Either rice or sandwiches. We picked Manna sandwiches and we had to wait in a long line to get it. But Jack didn't mind because he thought there was a chocolate chip muffin in his future. He was wrong. Instead he and Jane got an amazing donut. To my surprise after Jane's first bite of donut she said "The sandwich was better. Best sandwich ever."

"I couldn't agree more Jane. It turns out the best sandwiches are right in our own backyard."

Let me just say it again... can you believe that I forgot my camera today at soccer?

Yes, those are movie glasses with the plastic popped out. She wears them all the time and someone even complimented her today at Manna Bakery. I wonder if she knew the difference...

Soon we were on the go again for Jane to go to her own soccer. She was quite pleased that the shorts matched her shirt so perfectly. She directed me to put her hair in a hair pony hair. "Yes my master", I say.

But no little girl should go to soccer without her sparkly shoes.

Finally she left and I was left with this guy clearly tore up about it.. Just chillin'.

My supper was atrocious. Perogies and insta rice with microwaved peas and carrots. Boo. I have to remember to meal plan and get groceries. Lately it seems I don't have time for the tiniest of things... no planning has been done all week.

It can't be bed time without a selfie with Mom.

Much of the night I was designing projects and cutting wedding programs... its a regular thing in my life.

Good night Saturday.
Cathy

To see all my 2017 Week in the Life stories and photos, you can click here to see them together: #witl2017

Hello Friday | #weekinthelife2017

What is Week in the Life?:// Week In the Life is a project created by Ali Edwards where by you document a snapshot in time. Capturing mundane details of your everyday and perhaps your not so mundane moments. This is my story and my photos for #weekinthelife2017. To see my #weekinthelife2016 stories and photos you can check out it here: #weekinthelife2016

I never slept enough.

But I laid out the cereal boxes with spoons and bowls on the table the night before so that we were ready for breakfast. It's a good idea that I rarely do. This is probably one of those 'ah ha' moments that I should remember when Week in the Life is over. #touche

The kids got up at 8 am and were occupied with each other. From my chair I watched them pass around the cereal and contemplate mixing chocolate milk with their Vector cereal. One did. And it was a mistake.

The bulk of the morning was me cleaning, taking work calls and making sure that everyone was happy. Jane ripped the tags off her new tank top and couldn't decide what pants to wear with the big socks... Life is hard, I know. After she selected the perfect pair of pants, 'I know the perfect sweater. I just love this hoodie because of the J. C. on the back.' Her initials, of course.

Natalie was hanging off the chin up bar waiting for Jane to go play on the balance beam. Friends are so awesome. These two are so much alike. I love them to pieces.

It's now 11 am and I've got to get to Staples and run some errands.
Oh. And yeah. We had McDonalds for lunch... then ordered pizza for supper.
Boom.
It was that kind of day.

Today was the day I gave into Jane's nagging to colour her hair. It was a three hour process but she was armed and ready for the wait. While she got her hair coloured, I did the same and got a little work done around the salon.

She was so excited. She loved it so much. It was like the trendy Unicorn Frappucino from Starbucks.

She was late for gymnastics though so we hurried into the facility with an hour left to her session. I wanted to include this in our Week. Gymnastics is a big part of her life and as such a big part of ours. Three days a week we drive 25 minutes to and from for her three hour long sessions. But the story is that she joins nine other little girls that love each other like no other. It melts my heart. Every. Single. Time.

When she entered the gym Mila was first to spot her. Their hug was long and strong. Finally Jane told them she was late because she got her hair done. They squealled when they saw the blue and pink peeking through the dirty blonde. They formed a big group... together they would bang into walls and tables as they moved through the gym. They were plotting how they would tell their coach... I left with a smile.

Then I went outside. And my smile got wiped away from this weather.

Gross. We haven't seen the sun all week. Oh wait. Three minutes on Wednesday. I documented it because its that rare. The sun. It's amazing how much happier and more energetic I am when it shines. I try to stay positive but it gets tough after awhile.

When Jane came home, she was proud of her new rip. "Rip" in the gymnastics world is a tear on your hand usually from hard work on the bar. It makes me a little squimish and I am not sure how to handle it. But she said it was sore and before bed, I put some peroxide on it to clean it up... and then the tears came. Note to self... find out if you can put peroxide on rips. It's a relatively new normal but we have some rip cream on the way.

By the way. I am wondering how my six year old daughter got cooler than me. I wish I had her boots today and even I will admit that her hair was pretty awesome.

By 8:30 I was toast.

remember.

No sleep.

I was asleep before 9pm despite knowing that Jack was in his bed wide awake. At 10:17pm he woke me up exclaiming "Mama. I made something for you. It's a long sea plane...." It was adorable but I was so tired. I carefully placed him back into bed and thanked him for the gift. It will stay on my bedside table for the next little while. But I turned off the light and he tucked himself into bed. He's so funny. A good little sleeper but only when hes ready.

Good night Friday.

Cathy

To see all my 2017 Week in the Life stories and photos, you can click here to see them together: #witl2017

Friday, 21 April 2017

Hello Thursday: Stories and Photos | #weekinthelife2017

I did manage to wake a good hour before Jane hopped out of bed. When she came downstairs Rooney the Dog followed. Three of us cuddled on the couch for a half an hour. It's so fun to watch Jane connect with the dog. Rooney adores her and its because of the attention Jane gives her these days. I wonder where she gets her "ohhhh, you are such a good Rooney Dog. You are okay. You are okay. Just breath Rooney." Then I realize it's me. She's me. She may not look like me but she's for certain me.

Once Jack got up, both kids began building a City. This room is just off the porch and is constantly look like an explosion happened. But if you look closely you can see that there are little figurines placed carefully inside plastic containers, which are then placed inside a truck or an Octonaut pad. You will see like-minded toys lined up together ready to 'Save the Day'. Today, Jane was working on an airport for Jack's lego helicopter... which looks nothing like a helicopter.

This room sends chills up my spine with all its unorganization and disarray but it's also like a piece of art. I just wish I could walk through to grab a coat off their cubby hooks. Here I am remembering that some day they won't be playing with toys and to just let them play... turning a blind eye.

My teeth are clean and it's time to make the 35 minute drive to Ferryland where the massive iceberg is floating. We planned to take in the drive, check out the ice and grab some fish and chips on the way back.

The photos will never do these icebergs justice but the size of them were unlike any I have seen before. I am disappointed in my myself that I couldn't find my fancy long distance camera lens. But that's life at the moment. The kids thought they were cool but they thought the rocky beach was even cooler. Beach rocks are pretty cool... so soft and round. Perfect. The beach was not quiet. You could heard the beach rocks rolling into the beach. So cool.

It was not warm so we didn't stay long. Next stop was Riverside Convenience and it was busy. In a moment of Mom intuition I grabed the post-it notes I had brought to make my grocery list in the car into the restaurant, as well as some markers to help the kids pass away some time.

This. This my friends... is the most impressive drawing I have ever seen by Jack. This is Ryan. He carefully placed a dot smack in the middle of the circle to make his nose. He raised the post it up in his hands and looked at Ryan with one eye. "Yup. That definitely looks like Dad." Yeah kid. It sure does.

Tonight would prove to be something new for us. Jane has one of her friends sleep over. This is definitely not unusual but it is the first time that Natalie would sleep over. It just so happens that her brother is Jack's bestie also. We swapped kids for sleepovers.

Here's the kicker.. Jack has never slept over anywhere besides family and is very much a lover of his own bed. "I am not sleeping over Mom. I just want to stay a couple days." He says. Makes sense Buddy. We assumed we'd be picking him up at some point but we didn't expect any problems and we were right. Soon the boys were filled with candy and popcorn. By 10 o'clock, William drifted off to sleep while Jack was still playing with toys. Finally he says, "Can I go to my house now?" God love him. He's so predictable but I am so proud that he got that far.

I can't even deal with their cuteness.

Jane and Natalie on the other hand are busy playing with toys and practising gymnastics. When Natalie found out that the boys were enjoying candy and popcorn, she said "That's not fair Mom! We've only had healthy snacks!" Like a sucker, I gave in to the pressure. But honestly, stove top popcorn is my snack of choice despite my chips picture yesterday.

The girls fell asleep around 11pm and I spent the next two hours in a state of chaos.

I stayed up too late tonight. I'll pay for that tomorrow.

Goodnight Thursday,
Cathy

To see all my 2017 Week in the Life stories and photos, you can click here to see them together: #witl2017

Thursday, 20 April 2017

Hello Wednesday: Stories + Photos | #weekinthelife2017

Wednesday was not a good time.

I had intended to be up at 5am to finish up some noon work deadlines but instead I opened my eyes at 6:55am and scrambled to throw on some clothes. I flung my hair up into a bun and grabbed breakfast on the way to my parents home office. While trying to meet the lunch time deadline I was handling crisis after crisis. The phone doesn't ring at 5am so that would have make a world of difference to me in meeting that deadline. Instead I spent the remainder of the day as a whirling dirvish.

As I scrambed to find what in this house would be worthy of finding the insides of my belly, I tossed at least a half dozen tin cans whose expiry dates was long overdue. Needless to say lunch was mediocre. Trying to get a moment to breath, my lunch nearly went tits up when I noticed my toe peeking out of my sock.

Damn it. That was the Earth's way of telling me to take care of my toes. A couple weeks ago Jack told me " Whoa Mama, your make-up on your toes need to be fixed." Kudos kid. I know.

After lunch I had 100 things in my head that needed to be done... I drove down to our local scrapbooking store called the Paperie to pick up a card kit for a class I am teaching on Saturday. I am so not ready but 'on the fly' is my jam...

Lesson Learned Number 1:// Constant State of Overwhelm
This project is making me realize that I am feeling the 'constant state of overwhelm'. I've got to do a better job at managing my time and perhaps setting more realistic deadlines... Perhaps this might be the lesson of this #weekinthelife project. I realize that I should say 'no' more often but I don't want to. Maybe more realistic deadlines is the key for me to find balance. (Does balance exist?) I also have the sense that I always have to be doing things with my family. If we have a morning or afternoon free, I always feel a tug to tick something off the adventure list rather than play a game of hide and go seek... but we do play that too.

Well. I'll be. Do you see that? That's the sun? It peeked out for about a solid 3 minutes yesterday afternoon. I'll take it. At least it gave me reason to wear my new sunglasses I purchased in Toronto last week.

Jeanette was in the store today and as always she was a great distraction from my to do list.

When I walked into my home I immediately saw the dreaded Girl Guide cookies that sit in my porch. I have no idea who to sell those cookies to. I've asked too much already so I am trying to get Jane to do the dirty work. I must remember to take time out to help Jane go around the neighbourhood.

Do you want to buy a box of Girl Guide cookies? #argh

I parked myself on the couch while I waited for the boys to come home. They had went for a drive to Signal Hill before dropping Jane off to gymnastics and were also responsible for supper plans. The big guy entered the house and exclaimed "I found the flavor you were looking for!?" and plopped a family size bag of Lays chips on my lap. The little guy brings me two toilet paper rolls to use as my spy goggles. One for me. One for him.

Needless to say there wasn't much rest after that. Lots of rushing to and from gymnastics, work and baths. Ryan went off to coaching while the house continues to look like its in shambles.

At 10:45pm I slowly got myself off the couch to go up to bed. To my surprise, this guy was still up... surrounded by his toys. He popped his head up and pointed to a small spot near his pillow "I still gotta place to sleep up there.." In other words, its not too many toys in his bed. We couldn't get angry. I helped him clear up his toys, placed him under the covers in his little coccoon and turned out the light. Off to sleep he went. He was tired.

He's so funny, I can't even stand it. He's very particular and I don't think that my controlling ways are going to help him develop. I don't believe that my 'rules' are good for him all the time. He likes things just his way. I'd never let Jane have stickers on the wall or toys in her bed. It's almost like its his way to soothe himself. I can't explain it. The doctor told us that he's simply sensitive and we have to remember that... This is me trying to do that.

Goodnight Jack and Goodnight Wednesday.
Cathy

To see all my 2017 Week in the Life stories and photos, you can click here to see them together: #witl2017

Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Hello Tuesday: Stories + Photos | #weekinthelife2017

On this Tuesday morning, I snuck out of my room to try not to wake anyone. I had plenty of work that I wanted to finish before the elephant herd woke up. The morning quiet is glorious and I love starting my morning with it. I wish I could get up the first time my alarm goes off at 6am... or even at 6:30am but I simply have a hard time not closing my eyes again. I believe the Miracle Morning is amazing and I have noticed when I incoporate parts of it in my morning routine, I am simply a better all around human. A better mother. A better wife. A better worker. A better me.

I pass Jane's room but stopped to take a snap as I love the fact that Rooney the Dog sleeps with her every night. Jane is my morning owl and I literally walk on my tippy toes to make sure she remains in dreamland even just for 20 minutes.

Eventually Jane wakes up but I am out the door by 8am. The dog is typically up last but she's gotten used to morning walks and she was expecting one again this morning. I took one look at the ice glazed patio to make that decision. However, I couldn't help but feel bad that I hadn't for most of the day. It's hard to resist that nine year old puppy dog face.

It was a long work day. I stayed at my parents home office until 7pm missing the speghetti supper that the rest of my family enjoyed together. This is a typical Tuesday when it's payroll week. The sad part is the calls of work were still not done and I had a long night ahead of me to finish it all.

I was working hard when I almost forgot to create my blog post for the Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team Display Stampers. It's a 10 day hop and quite frankly is a lot of work... but so was creating the 20 projects.

To my surprise I was greeted with speghetti and meatballs along with a cold glass of wine upon my arrival. My husband is really good like that. He knows there's a lot of work to be done so helps out as much as he can. Although Ryan was happy to see me walk through the front door, the kids were having their iPad time and didn't notice me right away. It's not unusual to see these sights after supper in my house.

What's also normal is Jane doing flips or gymnastics - today she was perfecting a skill she saw Simone do on YouTube. She works very hard at the gymnastics and spends a lot of time at the gym. Nine hours a week to be exact. She's six and it feels like a lot. But she rarely complains and she loves the sport, as well as her gym friends. As long as she is happy I can only assume that I am making the right decisions for her. But sometimes I do wonder if its all a little too much for this age. We are greateful for the five days off but she's ready to go back now.

By 8:30, Ryan and I were ready to tackle bed time...

Something that went super duper well.

*eye roll*

Jane is really good at going to sleep but often needs a push to get her to her room. Mean while, the other guy, Jack, hates bed time and plays with toys all night long. Eventually he curls up and goes to sleep but not after a fight after we turn off the light. This kid. He's a character. I can't quite keep up with his imagination and how his brain works. He's so uninterested in learning his letters or holding a pencil but he blows me out of the water when he explains to me what a narwhale eats or how he's built a zipline off a monkey tower.

Seriously though... that helmet. He loves it so much. I don't think I'll ever get rid of the helmet. Not ever. What's even funnier is Rooney staying out of his way waiting for Jane to come to bed.

Good night Tuesday.

Cathy

To see all my 2017 Week in the Life stories and photos, you can click here to see them together: #witl2017